Dual well packer



Jan. 26, 1965 P. s. SIZER 3,137,127

DUAL WELL PACKER Filed April 4, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR PhillipS. Sizer BY WXfi ATTORNEYS Jan. 26, 1965 P. s. SIZER DUAL. WELL PACKER 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 4, 1961 INVENTOR Phillip S. Sizer Fig. 9

Wflf/g g ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,167,127 DUAL WELL PACKERPhillip S. Sizer, Dallas, Tex., assignor to Otis EngineeringCorporation, Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 4, 1961,Ser. No. 100,728 15 Claims. (Cl. 166-120) This invention relates to welltools and more particularly to dual string production packers.

An object of this invention is to provide a dual string productionpacker which can be set within a well casing or bore by means ofhydraulic pressure without requiring movement of either tubing string.

Another object is to provide a dual string production packer for use ina well casing which will permit the circulation of fluids therepastafter the Wellhead and surface connections have been installed.

Still another object is to provide a production packer for use with dualstrings of tubing in a well casing which can be moved into sealingengagement with the casing and locked in such sealing position after thewellhead and surface connections have been installed.

A further object is to provide a production packer for use with dualtubing strings in the well casing of a well wherein the packer may beactuated by hydraulic pressure into sealing engagement with the casingand be held locked in such sealing position after the actuatinghydraulic pressure is removed.

A still further object is to provide a production packer for use withdual tubing strings in the well casing of a well wherein the packer maybe hydraulically set and locked in sealing position within the wellcasing after the wellhead and surface connections have been installedand wherein the packer will withstand large pressure differentials ineither longitudinal direction of the casing.

A still further object is to provide a packer for use with dual stringsof tubing in a well casing which is responsive to fiuid pressure in oneof the strings to lock in sealing position between the well casing andtubing, and which may be unlocked from the sealing position and readilyremoved from the casing by manipulation of the tubing FIGURE 3 is alongitudinal sectional view as taken along the line 3-3 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view as taken along the line i-4 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a view showing the external surface of the lower portion ofa latch mandrel of the well tool;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 99 of FIGURE4;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 101 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11-11 in FIGURE 1;and

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view partly in longitudibore 22a and theexternal wall of the mandrel 11. The r nal section, showing the lowerportion of the well tool in anchored sealing position within a wellcasing.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 1, the well tool or packer assembly10 embodying the invention includes a pair of parallel spaced mandrels11 and 12. A sub 13 provided with a bore 13a in its upper end portionfor receiving the lower end of the mandrel 11 is connected to themandrel by means of coacting threads 15 formed ex ternally on themandrel 11 and internally on the sub 13.

The two mandrels are connected to one another and held in parallelspaced relationship by a cylindrical body 24 having a large circularcoaxial bore 21 in its upper portion for encompassing both of themandrels and a pair of smaller circular bores 22 and 23 in its lowerportion. The smaller bores 22 and 23 communicate with the bore 21 andare of sufficient diameter to receive the mandrels 11 and 12,respectively, which are disposed therein. The external diameter of thecylindrical body is smaller than the internal diameter of the casing topermit free passage of fluid between the body and the casing wall. Theaxes of the smaller bores are parallel to and spaced from the axes ofthe cylindrical body.

The internal wall of the bore 23 has an annular groove in which isdisposed an O-ring 24 to provide a fluid tight seal between the mandrel12 and the cylinder body 20. The internal wall in the upper portion ofthe bore 23 is internally threaded to receive the externally threadedlower end of the mandrel 12.

' A bore 23a of a reduced diameter corresponding with the bore of themandrel 12 extends coaxially from the bore 23 and forms an extension ofthe mandrel bore.

The bore 23a opens into a threaded socket 126 in the lower end of thecylinder body into which additional tubing may be joined.

A downward extension 22a of the bore 22 is found in the cylindrical body20 and provided with a diameter larger than the external diameter of themandrel 11 so that an annular space is formed between the wall of thebore 22a communicates with a recess 2% in the bottom of the body 26. Therecess is provided with internal arcuate threads 27 in two of its wallsfor engaging external quarter threads 28 on the upper end of the sub 13thereby forming a connection between the mandrel 11 and the A piston 30having an external diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of thebore 21 of the cylindrical body 20 so as to be slidably received thereinis provided with a pair of circular bores 31 and 32 which slidablyreceive the parallel'mandrels 11 and 12, respectively. The bottomsurface of the piston which is slidable along the mandrels, is adaptedto abut the upwardly facing surface 21a which defines the bottom of thebore 21 body 20.

An O-ring 33 disposed in an annular groove formed in the wall of thebore 31 seals between the mandrel 11 and piston 30 and an O-ring 34disposed in an annular groove in the wall of the bore 32 seals betweenthe mandrel 12 and piston 30. A seal between the 'piston and the cyl-=bers 37 and 38 are formed about the mandrels at the lower end of thepiston which, due to the provision of the O-rings 33, 34 and above thechambers and the lower O-rings 29 and 24 are fluid-tight. An aperture orlateral port 40' of the mandrel 12 communicates with the interior of themandrel 12 and the chamber 38. Thus,

Patented Jan. 26, 1965 in the cylindrical 1 of slightly enlarged di- '0e13 it may' readily be seen that fluid pressure introduced to themandrel 12 will move the piston upwardly relative to the cylinder 20 andthe mandrels 11 and 12.

A lower slip expander 41 is slidably disposed about the two mandrels 11and 12 above the piston and is secured to the mandrels by shear screws42. The slip expander has an external diameter corresponding to theexternal diameter of the lower cylinder 20 and is provided with parallelbores 43 and 44 through which extend the mandrels 11 and 12,respectively.

The lower portion of the bore 44 is enlarged to provide a beveled camsurface 45 which is engaged by slip segments 46. The outer surfaces 47of the slips are beveled to conform to and engage the cam surface 45while their inner surfaces are provided with teeth 48 for engaging themandrel 12. A circular retainer plate 50 interposed between the lowerend of the slip expander and the upper end of the piston, is providedwith a pair of bores for receiving the mandrels about which it isslidably disposed. The bore for accomodating mandrel 12 is enlarged atits upper end portion to form an annular groove in which is disposed awave spring 57 for biasing the slips upwardly into engagement with thecam surface 45. These slips permit the slip expander to move upwardly onthe mandrel 12, as when it is moved upwardly by the piston 30 with aforce sufiicient to shear the screws 42, but will not permit anyrelative movement in the opposite downward direction because of thegripping action of the teeth 43 of the slips.

Expansible, resilient sealing elements 51, 52 and 53 are slidablymounted on the parallel mandrels above the slip expander and areconfined between element caps 54a and 54b. The sealing elements have enexternal diameter equal to the external diameters of the expander 41 andcylinder 29 and are provided with suitable bores for receiving themandrels 11 and 12.

The upper cap 54a abuts the lower surface of the slip carrier 55slidably disposed on the parallel mandrels but releasably held in thelower position illustrated in FIG- URE l by a shear screw 56 whichextends through a suitable threaded bore of the slip carrier into asimilar bore in the mandrel 12. When fluid pressure in the bore of themandrel 12 isincreased to shear the screws 42 and move the pistonupwardly, the sealing elements move upwardly until the cap 54w engagesthe slip carrier 55. Further upward movement of the piston then causesthe sealing elements to expand laterally to engage the inner wall of thesurrounding well casing and close off the space between the mandrels andthe casing. After the slip expander41 has been moved upwardly, anydownward movement of the expander is arrested by the slips whose teeth48 move into engagement with the outer surface of mandrel 12 due to thecamming action between the cam surface 45 of the expander and thesurfaces 47 of the slips. The sealing elements will thus be locked intheir expanded casing engaging position.

The slip carrier 55 is provided with upwardly opening T-slots 55a whichreceive the T-handles 60a of the slips 60. A slip mandrel 61 which isslidably disposed about the parallel mandrels 11 and 12 is provided withdovetailed slots 61w which are inclined downwardly and inwardly and matewith dovetails 62 of the slips 60. As shown in FIGURE 9, the innersurfaces 63of the slip carrier are inclined downwardly and inwardly andare engaged by the surfaces 64 of the dovetails.

the slip carrier the slips are expanded outwardly into casing engagingposition and when the slip mandrel As a result; when the slip mandrel 61moves downwardly relative to moves upwardly the slips are retracted. Theslip mandrel tion of its axial bore is of an enlarged uniform diameterfor accommodating a cylindrical thrust bearing 66 which is disposedbetween the mandrel and the inner wall of the enlarged port-ion of thebore for reducing rotational friction between the upper slip expanderand the slip mandrel 61. The upper portion of the axial bore is flaredupwardly and outwardly to provide a beveled cam surface 66a whichengages the outer surfaces 67a of the slips 67 which are insertedbetween the mandrel 11 and the cam surface. The slips 67 are identicalto the slips 46 but are inverted relative thereto, having teeth 68 whichengage the outer surface of the mandrel 11. A retainer ring 70, providedwith a pair of bores for accommodating the mandrels 11 and 22 whichextend therethrough, is disposed about the mandrels in abuttingengagement with the top end surface of the slip expander 65. A wavespring 71 disposed in an annular recess 72 formed in the under surfaceof the retainer ring, biases the slips 67 into intimate contact with themandrel 11 at all times.

A slip housing 75 partially surrounds the upper slip expander 65 and themandrel 12 and serves as a spacer between the retainer ring 70 and theslip mandrel 61. The mandrel 12 and the slip expander 65 extend throughcircular bores in the housing which are of substantially equal diameterwith the mandrel and the expander respectively. In order to maintain thewave spring, slip expander, slips, and thrust bearing in their properrelative positions, cap screws are provided for locking the retainerring, slip housing, and slip mandrel in fixed positions, such cap screwsextending downwardly through suitable bores in the retainer ring andslip housing into upwardly opening threaded bores of the slip mandrel.

An up er cylindrical body is slidably disposed about the mandrel 11, themandrel extending through a longitudinal bore of the body. A circularbore 81 coaxial with the mandrel 12 is formed in the body 80 forreceiving the upper end of the mandrel 12. An O-ring 82 disposed in anannular groove in the wall of the bore 81 provides a fluid-tight sealbetween the mandrel and the cylindrical body 80. Upward movement of themandrel 12 in the bore is limited by the engagement of its upper endwith the lower annular shoulder of the internal flange 83.

A bore 84 of'a diameter larger than the diameter of the bore 81 isformed in the cylinder body 80 above the flange 83 and co-axial with thebore 81 for receiving a tubular latch mandrel 85. The latch mandrel isprovided with a central longitudinal bore of a diameter substantiallyequal to the internal diameters of the flange 83 and the mandrel 12,respectively, and is also provided with an external annular flange 85aintermediate the ends thereof of an external diameter substantiallycorresponding with the diameter of the bore 84 soas to be slidablyreceived therein. A V-packing assembly 87 on the latch mandrel above theflange 83 seals between the upper portion of the latch mandrel and theinternal wall of the bore 34 in the cylindrical body 86.

The latch mandrel is latched to the cylindrical body 80 by means oftransverse anchor pins 88 threaded into transverse openings 90 in thecylindrical body 80 extending into the bore 84, as shown in FIGURE 10.The ends of the anchor pins engage in J slots 91 formed in the externalsurface of the lower portion of the latch mandrel. O-rings 92 disposedin external annular grooves of the pins 88 engage the cylindrical body80 to prevent the leakage of fluids past, the pins through the openings90.

The cylindrical body 80 has a pair of equal diameter circular bores 95which extend an equal distance into the body 80. The axes of the boresare parallel to the axes of the body 80 and the mandrels 11 and 12 andare diametrically opposed relative to the axis of the body 80. Each ofthe bores 95 is in fluid communication with the bore 84 by means of apassage 96 in the body 80 extending from the upper end of the bore 95 tothe bore 84. Disposed in reach of the bores 95 is a piston 97 having anexternal annular groove 98 in which is disposed an O-ring 99 for sealingbetween the piston and the wall of the bore 95. Above the piston, whichis of equal length with the bore 95, is a conical chamber 101) definedby a conical surface formed in the end wall of the bore and closed bythe piston head. Fluid pressure may be introduced from the bore 84 andslots 96 into the chambers and force the pistons 97, the upper sliphousing 75, and slip mandrel 61 downwardly relative to the slips 60 andmandrel 11 and 12 to force the slips 60 utwardly into intimate contactwith the inner wall of the well casing and thus lock the packer devicetherein.

The upper end portion 105 of the mandrel 11 is enlarged to provide adownwardly facing external annular shoulder 106 which engages theinternal annular upwardly facing shoulder 107 in a bore 168 of a guide110. The guide 110 rests upon the upper end of the cylindrical body 31)and is also provided with a circular bore 113 in axial alignment withthe bore 84- of the cylindrical body 81) and maintained in alignmenttherewith by means of cap screws 111 which extend through suitable boresof the guide into threaded bores in the body 80. The guide surface 112is flared upwardly and outwardly from the bore 113 to form a funnelwhereby the lower end of latch mandrel 85 will be guided into the bore113, and therefore the bore 84, when lowered thereinto.

In use, the packer is lowered from the surface into the well casing on afirst tubing string 115 to' which it may be attached by threads 116formed in the upper end portion of the mandrel 11 which engage with theexternal threads at the lower end of the tubing string. Additionaltubing may be suspended from the lower sub 13 by means of the threads117 on the lower end of the sub. Additional tubing, perhaps including aspecial landing nipple, may

also be suspended on the packer parallel with the tubing attached to thelower end of the sub 13 by means of i the threaded socket 26 at thelower end of the cylindrical body 20.

A second string of tubing 115a, whose lower end is threaded into theupper end of the sub 120 whose lower end, in turn, is threaded on theupper end of the latch mandrel 85, and the latch mandrel 85, are thenlowered into the well casing until the latch mandrel contacts the guide110. At its lower end, the latch mandrel is provided with a bevel whichcoacts with the bevel or cam surface 112 of the guide to guide or movethe latch mandrel into the bore 84. Therefore, should the extreme lowerend of the latch mandrel become lodged atop the guide 110, all that isrequired to dislodge the mandrel is to rotate this second tubing stringslightly to the right. When the bevel 125 contacts the flared portion112 of the bore 113 in the guide 111), the latch mandrel will readilyenter the bore 113 of the guide and the bore 84 of the cylindrical body81).

As the latch mandrel is lowered into the bore 84, the cam surface 12-6or 127 defining the J slots, shown in FIGURE 5, will contact theinwardly projecting ends of the anchor pins 88 and will cause the latchmandrel and the tubing string 115a to rotate slightly to the right orleft so that the anchor pins will be conducted to the uppermost portionsof the J slots. When this occurs, the tubing string 115a is lifted untilthe anchor pins enter into the lowermost portions 91a of the verticalsections of the J slots. The tubing is then suspended from the surface.The tubing string is preferably supported in tension, but it may besuspended in compression, if desired, in which case the projections ofthe anchor pins 88 will occupy the uppermost portion of the J slots 91.

After both strings of tubing have been set in place within the well boreand the well surface connections have been installed, fluids may becirculated around the packer through the well casing, if desired, and ineither direction. Thus, drilling mud may be displaced from the tubingafter the surface equipment has been installed.

The packer may then be set in the well casing by introducing fluidpressure to the second string of tubing after first plugging its bore ata point somewhere below the port 40 of the mandrel 12. This may beaccomplished by lowering a suitable plug through the tubing to asuitable landing nipple connected in the tubing whose upper end may besecured to the body 20 by means of the socket 26. Fluid pressure withinthe second tubing string is then communicated to the chamber 100 throughthe slots 96 to apply a downward force to the piston. The pistons movethe retainer ring 70 and the slip mandrel 61 downwardly and the slips 60outwardly to lock the packer in the. well casing when the shear screws164 shear to permit downward movement of the slip mandrel. At the sametime, the fluid pressure within the second tubing string is transmittedthrough the port 40 to act against the lower side of the piston 30 totend to force the slips 46 upwardly and the sealing elements 51, 52, and53 into compression but the shear screws 42 prevent upward movement ofthe expander 41 and the piston 40. i

The shear screws 164, being of lesser shear strength than the shearscrews 42, will shear first, whereupon the fluid pressure acting on thepiston 97 will force the retainer ring 70, upper slip housing 75 and theslip man drel 61 downwardly, thereby expanding the slips 60 intoengagement with the inner wall of the casing. During downward movementof the slip mandrel 61, movement of the slips 60 and slip carrier 55 isprevented by the shear screw 56.

As the pistons move the retainer ring 70 downwardly, the upper slipexpander 65 also is moved downwardly, together with the thrust bearing66 and slip segments 67. When the slips 60 have been fully expanded, orexpanded as far as permitted by the well casing, the slips 67 engage theouter surface of the mandrel 11 and, due to the cam action of thesurface 66a of the expander, loch the packer against upward movement inthe well casing.

After the packer is locked securely in the well casing, pressure in thesecond tubing string is gradually increased until, when it reaches asufiicient value, the shear screws 42 are sheared, permitting the piston31) to move upwardly in response to the pressure transmitted theretothrough the port 40.

As the piston 30 moves upwardly, it applies a compressive force to thesealing elements 51, 52, and 53 through the retainer plate 50 and thelower slip expander 41. The slip carnier 55 being held stationary by theshear screw 56 relative to the mandrels 11 and 12, upward movement ofthe piston 30, and therefore the lower slip expander 41, causes thesealing elements to expand laterally into. sealing engagement with thewell casing. As the sealing elements are thus compressed, the elementcaps 54a and 54b are expanded to bridge or partially bridge the annularopening between the packer and the casing to prevent extrusion of theresilient sealing elements.

During the compressing of the sealing elements, the screw 56 which holdsthe slip carrier 55 in place relative to the mandrel 12 may possiblyshear even though the screw has a greater shear strength than the shearscrews 42. The possible shearing of the screw 56, however, is of noconsequence, since the slips 61 are in flocked engagement with the slipexpander so that the slip carrier 55 could move upwardly only a verylimited distance. The counterbore 130 of the slip carrier into which thesnap ring 131 projects is deepened to provide clearance for suchpossible upward movement of the slip carrier. The snap ring 131 isreceived in an annular external groove of the mandrel 11.

When fluid pressure within the mandrel 12 is released, the compressedsealing elements force the lower slip expander downwardly a very slightdistance, thereby camming the slips 46 inwardly and locking the expanderagainst further downward movement. The packer is thus locked and sealedwithin the well casing and is adapted to withstand substantial pressuredifferentials in either longitudinal direction. Of course, the plugwhich was previously placed below the port 40 to allow a buildup offluid pressure within the tubing string may then be removed.

. It will be noted that if fluid pressure in the casing above the packeris greater than the pressure below, the differential pressure actingdownwardly on the sealing elements is transmitted through the slips 46,the mandrel 12, the lower cylindrical body 20, the mandrel 11, the slips67, the'upper slip expander 65, to the slip mandrel 61, and throughslips 60 to the well casing. Also a pressure differential acting in theopposite direction exerts an upward force on the slip carrier 55 and isresisted by the screw 56 (if it has not sheared) or transmitted to thecasing through the slips 60. Thus, it will be seen that a differentialpressure acting in either direction tends to lock the packer moresecurely in the casing.

a In similar manner, forces due to compression or tension of either ofthe tubing strings are likewise transmitted to the well casing when thepacker is locked therein. Compressive forces of the tubing string aretransmitted to the upper cylindrical body 80, the mandrel 12, the lowercylindrical body 20, the mandrel 11, the upper slips 67, the slipmandrel 61, and through the slips 6f) to the well casing. Forces oftension in the tubing strings are transmitted to the lower cylindricalbody 20, either from the first tubing string 115 or from the secondtubing string, connected to the top sub 120, through the uppercylindrical body 80, and mandrel 11, and thence to the casing throughthe mandrel 12, the slips 46, the lower slip expander 41, the resilientelements 51, 52, and 53, the slip carrier 55 and the slips 60 to thewell casing.

It will be apparent that the dual string production packer, disclosedherein, will permit the circulation of fluids therepast after thewellhead and surface connections have been installed.

It will also be seen from the description that a dual string productionpacker has been provided which may be set in a well casing withoutrequiring manipulation of either of the tubing strings.

It will further be seen that whereasthe packer may be set by introducingfluid pressure into a tubing string, it is maintained locked in casingengaging position by mechanical means independently of the maintenanceof the fluid pressure in such tubing string.

To remove the packer from the well, the second tubing string which isconnected to the top sub 120 is first unlatched therefrom by loweringthe tubing string slightly and then rotating the string in a clockwisedirection. The pins 88 which latch the latch mandrel 85 to the mandrel12 are thereby disengaged from the J slots in the latch mandrel so thatthe second tubing string with the attached latch mandrel is freed to belifted and removed from the well.

-To remove the first tubing string 115 and the packer from the well, thetubing string is first rotated a quarter turn in the clockwise directionto disconnect the lower sub 13 from the lower cylindrical body bydisengaging the breech lock thread 28 from the thread 27 as shown inFIGURE 8. At the end of a quarter turn, the thread 28 of the mandrel 11engages the stop 20a threaded in an aperture in the cylindrical body 20and extending into the recess 20b whereupon further rotation of themandrel is prevented. Rotational friction between the packer and mandrel11 during such rotation is reduced by the thrust bearing 66 containedwithin the slip expander 65. The first tubing string 115 and theattached mandrel 11 are then lifted a distance sufficient to permit thebreech lock thread 28 to clear the corresponding thread 27, whereuponthe mandrel may then be rotated freely through any number of revolutionsrelative to the body 29 if desired.

Further lifting of the tubing string then brings the snap ring 131,which is disposed in groove 132 of man drel 11, into contact with thelower end of the slip mandrel 61. Continued upward movement of thestring and mandrel then lifts the slip mandrel 61 and retracts the slips6% due to co-action of the dovetails and slots of the slips and slipmandrel, respectively. When the slips 60 are fully retracted and cannotbe further moved inwardly, the force caused by the lifting of the tubingstring will then be transmitted to the slip carrier 55, thereby movingit upwardly on the mandrels and shearing the screw 56, if it has notalready been sheared. The resulting upward displacement of the slipcarrier relative to the mandrel 12 and the slip expander 41 held fixedthereon provides space for the resilient sealing elements to decompressand break the seal between the packer and the well casing. Also, afterthe slip mandrel 61, the slip housing and the retainer ring 70 have beenlifted to the positions shown in FIGURE 1, further lifting of the tubingstring causes the upper cylindrical body to move upwardly relative tothe mandrel 12. Mandrel 11 may thus be lifted until the uppermost end ofthe lower sub 13 engages the downwardly facing shoulder 133 of the lowercylindrical body 20, whereupon the slips having been retracted fromengagement with the well casing and the sealing elements having beenreleased from scaling position with the casing, the packer may beremoved from the well by lifting the tubing therefrom.

. It will thus be seen that a dual string production packer has beenprovided which may be connected in the tubing strings and hydraulicallyset by introduction of fluid pressure in one of the strings.

It will also be seen that a dual string production packer for use inwell casing has been provided which may be locked and sealed within thewell casing after the wellhead and surface connections have beeninstalled.

It will further be seen that the dual string production packer disclosedherein is adapted to withstand large pressure differentials or columnloads in either direction of the well bore. It can be set withoutrequiring manipulation of either of the tubing strings and is readilyremovable from the well casing.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, andchanges in the details of the construction illustrated may be made bythose skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims,without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: I

l. A well packer including: a pair of mandrels, each having a passagewayextending therethrough; upper and lower body members connecting theopposite ends of said mandrels to each other; anchoring means on saidmandrels movable relative to said mandrels between a retracted positionand an expanded operative position wherein said anchoring means isengageable with the internal surface of a well casing to hold themandrels against movement relative to said casing; means on saidmandrels operable in response to fluid pressure in one of saidpassageways for moving said anchoring means to said operative position;first conduit means on said mandrels for communicating fluid pressurefrom said one of said passageways with said means for moving saidanchoring means for moving said anchoring means to operative position;first lock means on said mandrels for locking said anchoring means insaid operative position; seal means on said mandrels; operating means onsaid mandrels operable in response to fluid pressure in one of saidpassageways for moving said seal means to a position of sealingengagement with the internal surfaces of a well; second conduit means onsaid mandrels communicating one of said mandrel passageways with saidoperating means for moving said seal means for conducting fluid pressureto said operating means from said passageway for operating saidoperating means; and second lock means on said mandrels for locking saidsealing means in said sealing position.

2. A dual string well packer for use with dual tubing strings in a wellcomprising: a pair of mandrels, each having a passageway extendingtherethrough; upper and lower body members connecting the upper andlower ends of said mandrels and having passageways therein receivingsaid mandrels; means for connecting each said mandrel to a diflerent oneof said tubing strings wherein the passageway of each mandrel is influid communication with the bore of the tubing string to which it isattached; anchoring means on said mandrels movable on said mandrelsbetween a retracted position and an operative position wherein saidanchoring means is engageable with the internal surfaces of a wellcasing to hold the mandrels against movement relative to said casing;means on said mandrels operable in response to fluid pressure in one ofsaid passageways for moving said anchoring means to said operativeposition; first conduit means on said mandrel for communicating fluidpressure from said one of said passageways with said means for movingsaid anchoring means to operative position; first lock means on saidmandrels for locking said anchoring means in said operative position;seal means on said mandrels; operating means on said mandrels operablein response to fluid pressure in one of said tubing strings for movingsaid seal means to a position of sealing engagement with a well casing;second conduit means on said mandrel communicating said one of saidpassageways with said operating means for moving said seal means forconducting fluid pressure to said operating means for said passagewayfor operating said operating means; and second lock means on saidmandrels for locking said sealing means in said sealing position.

3. A well packer including: a pair of mandrels, each having a passagewayextending therethrough; upper and lower body members spacedlongitudinally from each other connecting said mandrels to each otherand having a pair of passageways therein for receiving said mandrels;anchoring means on said mandrels movable relative to said mandrelsbetween a retracted position and an expanded operative position whereinsaid anchoring means is engageable with the internal surfaces of a wellcasing to hold the mandrels against movement relative to said casing;expander means on said mandrels movable longitudinally relative theretobetween an initial position and a second position, means operativelyconnecting said anchoring means and said expander means whereby saidanchoring means is held in retracted position by the expander means whenthe expander means is in initial position, said expander means movingthe anchoring means to operative position upon movement of said expandermeans from said initial position toward said second position; fluidpressure actuated operating means on said mandrels operable by fluidpressure conducted thereto from one of said passageways of said mandrelsfor moving said expander means relative to said anchoring means toexpand said anchoring means to anchoring positions; first conduit meanson said mandrels for conducting fluid pressure from said one of saidpassageways to said operating means for operating said expander means;first lock means on said mandrels for locking said anchoring means insaid operative position; seal means on said mandrels; second operatingmeans on said mandrels operable in response to fluid pressure in one ofsaid passageways for moving said seal means to a position wherein saidseal means is in sealing engagement with the internal surfaces of awell; second conduit means on said mandrels communicating said secondoperating means with one of said mandrel passageways for conductingpressure of fluicl from said one of said mandrel passageways to saidsecond operating means for operating said second operating means to movesaid seal means to sealing position; and second lock means on saidmandrels for locking said sealing means in said sealing position.

4. A dual string well packer for use with dual tubing strings in a wellcomprising: a pair of mandrels, each having a passageway extendingtherethrough; upper and lower body members connecting the upper andlower ends of said mandrels to each other; means for con necting eachsaid mandrel to a different one of said tubing strings wherein thepassageway of each mandrel is in communication with the bore of thetubing string to which it is attached; anchoring means on said mandrelsmovable between a retracted position and an operative position whereinsaid anchoring means is engageable with the internal surfaces of a wellcasing to hold the mandrels against movement relative to said wellcasing; expander means on said mandrels and operatively connected withsaid anchoring means, said expander means being movable relative to saidmandrels and said anchoring means between an initial position whereinsaid anchoring means is held in retracted position by said expander anda second position, said anchoring means being moved to operativeposition by said expander means upon movement of said expander meanstoward said second position; first fluid pressure responsive means onsaid mandrels operable for moving said expander between said initial andsaid second positions; first conduit means on said mandrelscommunieating said pressure responsive means with one of saidpassageways of said mandrels for conducting fluid pressure from suchpassageway to said fluid responsive means for actuation thereof; firstlock means on said mandrels for locking said anchoring means in saidoperative position; seal means on said mandrels; operating means on saidmandrels operable in response to fluid pressure in one of said tubingstrings for moving said seal means to a position of sealing engagementwith a well casing for sealing therebetween; second conduit means onsaid mandrels communicating said one of said passageways with saidpressure responsive operating means for operating said pressureresponsive operating means to move said seal means to sealing position;and second lock means on said mandrels for. locking said sealing meansin said seal ing position.

5. A dual string well packer for use with a well comprising: a pair ofmandrels, each having a passageway extending therethrough; upper andlower body members connecting the upper and lower ends of said mandrelstogether; anchoring means on said mandrels movable between retractedposition wherein the anchoring means is adjacent the mandrels andexpanded position wherein said anchoring means is remote from themandrel and engageable with the internal surfaces of a well to hold themandrels against movement relative thereto; first means on said mandrelsoperable in response to fluid pressure in one of said passageways formoving said anchoring means to said expanded position; first conduitmeans on said mandrels communicating said one of said passage ways withsaid first pressure responsive means for coning means limiting movementof said seal means on said ing means limiting movement of said sealmeans on said mandrels; second means on said mandrels operable inresponse to fluid pressure in one of said passageways for a moving saidseal means into a position of sealing engagement with the internalsurfaces of a well by compressing said seal means against said anchoringmeans; second conduit means on said mandrels communicating said one ofsaid passageways with said second pressure responsive means foractuating said pressure responsive means to move said seal means tosealing position; and second lock means on said mandrels for lockingsaid seal means in said sealing position.

6. A dual string well packer for use with dual tubing strings in a wellcomprising: a pair of mandrels, each having a passageway extendingtherethrough; upper and lower 1 ll body members spaced longitudinallyfrom each other connecting said mandrels to each other and having a pairof passageways therein receiving said mandrels; means for connectingeach said mandrel to a different one of said tubing strings wherein thepassageway of each mandrel is in fluid communication with the bore ofthe tubing string to which it is attached; anchoring means on saidmandrels movable between retracted position wherein the anchoring meansis adjacent the mandrel and expanded position wherein said anchoringmeans is remote from the mandrel and engageable with the internalsurfaces of a well to hold the mandrels against movement relativethereto; first means on said mandrels operable in response to fluidpressure in one of said tubing strings for moving said anchoring meansto said expanded position; first conduit means on said mandrelscommunicating said first pressure responsive means with said one of saidpassageways of said mandrels for conducting said fluid pressure fromsaid one of said passageways to said first pressure responsive means formoving said anchoring means to expanded position; first lock means onsaid mandrels for locking said anchoring means in said expandedposition; expansible seal means disposed on said mandrels adjacent saidanchoring means, said anchoring means limiting movement of said sealmeans on said mandrels; second means on said mandrels operable inrespose to fluid pressure in one of said tubing strings for moving saidseal means into a position of sealing engagement with the internalsurfaces of a well by compressing said seal means against said anchoringmeans; second conduit means on said mandrels communicating said secondpressure responsive means with said one of said passageways of saidmanrels for conducting fluid pressure from said one of said passagewaysto said second fluid pressure responsive means for operating the same tomove said seal means to sealing position; and second lock means on saidmandrels for locking said seal means in said sealing position.

7. A dual string well packer for use with a well having well casingcomprising: a pair of mandrels each having a flow passage therethrough;upper and lower body members spaced longitudinally from each otherconnecting the upper and lower ends respectively of said mandrels, saidbody members having passageways therein receiving said mandrels;anchoring means on said mandrels movable between retracted positionwherein the anchoring means is adjacent the mandrel and expandedposition wherein said anchoring means is remote from the mandrels andengageable with the internal surfaces of said well casing to hold themandrels against movement relative to the well casing; first expandermeans on said mandrels movable longitudinally relative thereto, betweenan initial position and a second position, said first expander meansoperatively engaging and moving the anchoring means to said expandedposition upon movement of said first expander means toward said secondposition; first fluid pressure responsive means on said mandrels formoving said first expander means toward said second position; firstconduit means on said mandrels communicating said first fluid pressureresponsive means with the flow passage of one of said mandrels forconducting fluid pressure from such flow passage to said first pressureresponsive means for moving said expander means toward said secondposition; first lock means engageable with said first expander means andsaid mandrels for locking said first expander means in said secondposition; expansible seal means disposed on said mandrels adjacent saidanchoring means, said anchoring means limiting movement of said sealmeans on said mandrels; second expander means on said mandrels movablelongitudinally relative thereto for moving said seal means to a positionof sealing engagement with the well by compressing said seal meansagainst said anchoring means; second fluid pressure responsive means onsaid mandrels operatively connected with secondexpander means for movingsaid second expander means longitudinally relative to said mandrels tomove said seal means to sealing position; second conduit means on saidmandrels communicating between one of said flow passages of saidmandrels and said second fluid pressure responsive means for conductingfluid pressure from said flow passage to said second fluid pressureresponsive means to actuate the same in response to such fluidpressures; and second lock means on said mandrels engageable with saidmandrels and said second expander means for locking said seal means insaid sealing position.

8. A dual string well packer for use with dual tubing strings in a wellcomprising: a pair of mandrels, each having a passageway extendingtherethrough; upper and lower body members spaced longitudinally fromeach other connecting the upper and lower ends respectively of saidmandrels, said body members having passageways therein receiving saidmandrels; means for connecting each said mandrel to a diflerent one ofsaid tubing strings wherein the passageway of each mandrel is in fluidcommunication with the bore of the tubing string to which it isattached; anchoring means on said mandrels movable relative to saidmandrels between a retracted position and an operative position whereinsaid anchoring means is engageable with the internal surfaces of saidwell to hold the mandrels against movement relative to the internalsurfaces of said well; first means on said mandrels operable in responseto a first lower fluid pressure in one of said passageways for movingsaid anchoring means to said operative position; first conduit means onsaid mandrels for conducting fluid pressure from said one passageway tosaid first means for actuating the same; first lock means on saidmandrels for locking said anchoring means in said operative position;seal means on said mandrels adjacent said anchoring means, saidanchoring means limiting movement of said seal means on said mandrels;second means on said mandrels operable in response to a second higherfluid pressure in one of said passageways for moving said seal meansinto a position of sealing engagement with the internal surfaces of saidwell by compressing said seal means against said anchoring means; secondconduit means on said mandrels communicating said one of saidpassageways with said second means for conducting said second higherfluid pressure to said second means for moving said seal means tosealing position; and second lock means on said mandrels for lockingsaid seal means in said sealing position.

9. A dual string well packer for use with dual tubing strings in a wellhaving well casing comprising: a pair of mandrels, each having a boreextending therethrough; upper and lower body members spacedlongitudinally from each other connecting the upper and lower endsrespectively of said mandrels, said body members having passagewaystherein receiving said mandrels; means for connecting one or" saidmandrels to one of said tubing strings with their bores in fluidcommunication; a latch member secured to the other of said tubingstrings for latching said other tubing string to said upper body memberin flow communication with the bore of said other packer mandrel;anchoring means on said mandrels movable between a retracted positionwherein the anchoring means is adjacent the mandrels and expandedposition wherein said anchoring means is remote from the mandrels andengageable with the internal surfaces of a well casing to hold themandrels against movement relative to said casing; expander means onsaid mandrels movable longitudinally relative thereto between an initialposition and a second position, said expander means operatively engagingsaid anchoring means for moving the anchoring means to said expandedposition upon movement of said expander means to said second position;first operator means on said upper body member responsive to fluidpressure in said other tubing string when said latch member latches saidother tubing string to said other packer mandrel to move said expandermeans 7 .to said second position, thereby moving said anchoring means toexpanded position; first conduit means on said upper body membercommunicating said first operator means with said other tubing stringfor conducting fluid pressure from said other tubing string to saidfirst operator means to move said expander means toward said secondpositions; seal means on said mandrels; second operator means on saidmandrels operable in response to fluid pressure in said other tubingstring for moving said seal means to a position of sealing engagementwith the well casing for sealing therebetween; second conduit means onsaid mandrels communicating said other tubing string with said secondoperator means for conducting fluid pressure from said other tubingstring to said second operator means for moving said seal means tosealing position; and lock means on said mandrels for locking saidsealing means in said sealing position.

10. A well packer including: a plurality of mandrels, each having apassageway extending therethrough; upper and lower body members spacedlongitudinally from each other connecting the upper and lower endsrespectively of said mandrels, said body members having passagewaystherein receiving said mandrels; anchoring means on said mandrelsmovable relative to said mandrels between a retracted position and anexpanded operative position wherein said anchoring means is engageablewith the internal surface of a well casing to hold said mandrels againstmovement relative to said casing; first operator means on said mandrelsoperable in response to fluid pressure in one of said passageways formoving said anchoring means to said operative position; first conduitmeans on said mandrels communicating said first operator means with saidone of said passageways for conducting fluid pressure from saidpassageway to said first operator means for operating said anchoringmeans; first lock means on said mandrels for locking said anchoringmeans in said operative position; seal means on said mandrels; secondoperator means on said mandrels operable in response to fluid pressurein one of said passageways for moving said seal means to a position ofsealing engagement with the internal surfaces of a well; second conduitmeans on said mandrels communieating said one of said passageways withsaid second operator means for conducting fluid pressure from saidpassageway to said second operator means for actuating the same; andsecond lock means on said mandrels for locking said sealing means insaid sealing position.

11. A well packer for use with a plurality of tubing strings in a wellcomprising: a plurality of mandrels, each having a passageway extendingtherethrough; upper and lower bodymernbers spaced longitudinally fromeach other and connecting the upper and lower ends respectively of saidmandrels, said body members having passageways ltherein receiving saidmandrels; means for con meeting each said mandrel to a diflerent one ofsaid tubing strings wherein the passageway of each mandrel is in fluidcommunication with the bore of the tubing string to which it isattached; anchoring means on said mandrels movable on said mandrelsbetwen a retracted position and an operative position wherein saidanchoring means is engageable with the internal surfaces of a wellcasing to hold the mandrels against movement relative to said casing;first operator means on said mandrels operable in response to fluidpressure in one of said passageways for moving said anchoring means tosaid operative position; first conduit means communicating said one ofsaid passageways with said first operator means for conducting fluidpressure from said passageway to said first operator means for actuatingthe same to move the anchoring means to operative position; first lockmeans on said mandrels for locking said anchoring means in saidoperative position; seal means on said mandrels; second operator meanson said mandrels operable in response to fluid pressure in one of saidtubing strings for moving said seal means to a position of sealingengagement with a well casing; second conduit means on said mandrels idcommunicating said one of said mandrels with said second operator meansfor conducting fluid pressure from said one of said mandrels to saidsecond operator means for actuating the same to move said seal means tosealing position; and second lock means on said mandrels for lockingsaid sealing means in said sealing position.

12. A well packer for use with a plurality of tubing strings in a wellcomprising: a plurality of mandrels, each having a passageway extendingtherethrough; upper and lower body members spaced longitudinally fromeach other and connecting the upper and lower ends respectively of saidmandrels, said body members having passageways therein receiving saidmandrels; means for connecting each said mandrel to a diflerent one ofsaid tubing strings wherein the passageway of each mandrel is in fluidcommunication with the bore of the tubing string to which it isattached; anchoring means on said man'- drels movable on said mandrelsbetween a retracted position and an operative position wherein saidanchoring means is engageable with the internal surfaces of a wellcasing to hold the mandrels against movement relative to said casing;first operator means on said mandrels operable in response to fluidpressure in one of said passageways for moving said anchoring means tosaid operative position; first conduit means on said mandrelscommunicating said first operator means with said one of saidpassageways for conducting fluid. pressure from said passageway to saidfirst operator means for actuating the same to move said anchoring meansto operative position; first lock means on said mandrels for lockingsaid anchoring means in said operative: position; seal means on saidmandrels; second operator means on said mandrels operable in response tofluid pressure in one of said tubing strings for moving said seal meansto a position of sealing engagement with a well casing; second conduitmeans on said mandrels communicating said second operator means withsaid one of said tubing strings for conducting fluid pressure from saidone of said tubing strings to said second operator means for actuatingthe same to move said seal means to sealing position; second lock meanson said mandrels for locking said sealing means in said sealingposition; and means on said mandrels movable by one of said tubingstrings for moving said anchoring means to retracted; position.

13. A well packer for use with a plurality of tubing strings in a wellcomprising: a plurality of mandrels, each having a passageway extendingtherethrough; upper and lower body members spaced longitudinally fromeach other and connecting the upper and lower ends respectively of saidmandrels, said body members having passageways therein receiving saidmandrels; means for connecting each said mandrel to a different one ofsaid tubing strings wherein the passageway of each mandrel is in fluidcommunication with the bore of the tubing string to which it isattached; anchoring means on said mandrels movable between retractedposition wherein the anchoring means is adjacent the mandrels andexpanded position wherein said anchoring means is remote from themandrels and engageable with the internal surfaces of a well to hold themandrels against movement relative thereto; first means on said mandrelsoperable in response to fluid pressure in one of said mandrels formoving said anchoring means to said expanded position; first conduitmeans on said mandrels communicating said one of said mandrels with saidfirst fluid pressure responsive means for conducting said fluid pressurefrom said one mandrel to said first means for moving said anchoringmeans to expanded position; first lock means on said mandrels forlocking said anchoring means in said expanded position; expansible sealmeans disposed on said mandrels adjacent said anchoring means, saidanchoring means limiting movernent of said seal means on said mandrels;second means on said mandrels operable in response to fluid pressure inone of said tubing strings for moving said seal means into a position ofsealing engagement with the internal surfaces of a well by compressingsaid seal means against said anchoring means; second conduit means onsaid mandrels communicating said one of said mandrels with said secondfluid pressure responsive means for conducting fluid pressure from saidone mandrel to said second fluid pressure responsive means for actuatingsaid second means to move said sealing means to scaling position; andsecond lock means on said mandrels for locking said seal means in saidsealing position.

14. A well packer for use with a plurality of tubing strings in a wellcomprising: a plurality of mandrels, each having a passageway extendingtherethrough; upper and lower body members spaced longitudinally fromeach other and connecting the upper and lower ends respectively of saidmandrels, said body members having passageways therein receiving saidmandrels; means for connecting each said mandrel to a different one ofsaid tubing strings wherein the passageway of each mandrel is in fluidcommunication with the bore of the tubing string to which it isattached; anchoring means on said mandrels movable between retractedposition wherein the anchoring means is adjacent the mandrels andexpanded position wherein said anchoring means is remote from themandrels and engageable with the internal surfaces of a well to hold themandrels against movement relative thereto; first pressure responsiveoperating means on said mandrels operable in response to fluid pressurein one of said tubing strings for moving said anchoring means to saidexpanded position; first conduit means on said mandrels communicatingsaid one of said tubing strings with said first pressure responsiveoperating means for conducting fluid pressure from said one of saidtubing strings to said first pressure responsive operating means formoving said anchoring means to expanded position; first lock means onsaid mandrels for locking said anchoring means in said expandedposition; expansible seal means disposed on said mandrels adjacent saidanchoring means, said anchoring means limiting movement of said sealmeans on said mandrels; second fluid pressure responsive operating meanson said mandrels operable in response to fluid pressure in one of saidtubing strings for moving said seal means into a position of sealingengagement with the internal surfaces of a well by compressing said sealmeans against said anchoring means; second conduit means on saidmandrels communicating said one of said tubing strings with said secondpressure responsive operating means for conducting fluid pressure fromsaid one of said tubing strings to said second operating means foractuating the same to move said sealing means into sealing position;second lock means on said mandrels for locking said seal means in saidsealing position; and means on said mandrels movable by one of saidtubing strings for retracting said anchoring means and moving said sealmeans from sealing engagement with said internal surfaces.

. 15. A well packer for use with a plurality of tubing strings in a wellhaving well casing comprising: a plurality of mandrels, each having abore extending there-.

through; upper and lower body members spaced longitudinally from eachother and connecting the upper and lower ends respectively of saidmandrels, said body members having passageways therein receiving saidmandrels; means for connecting each said mandrel to a different one ofsaid tubing strings wherein the passageway of each 4 mandrel is in fluidcommunication with the bore of the tubing string to which it isattached; anchoring rneans on said mandrels movable relative to saidmandrels between a retracted position and an operative position whereinsaid anchoring means is engageable with the internal surfaces of saidWell to hold the mandrels against movement relative to the internalsurfaces of said well; first piston means on said mandrels operable inresponse to a first lower fluid pressure in one of said passageways formoving said anchoring means to said operative position; first conduitmeans communicating said one of said passageways with said first pistonmeans for conducting fluid pressure from said passageway to said pistonmeans for actuating the same to move said anchoring means to operativeposition; first lock means on said mandrels for locking said anchoringmeans in said operative position; seal means on said mandrels adjacentsaid anchoring means, said anchoring means limting movement of said sealmeans on said mandrels; second position means on said mandrels operablein response to a second higher fluid pressure in one of said passagewaysfor moving said seal means into a position of sealing engagement withthe internal surfaces of said well by compressing said seal meansagainst said anchoring means; second conduit means on said mandrelscommunicating said one of said passageways with said second piston meansfor conducting fluid pressure from said passageway to said second pistonmeans for actuating the same to move said seal means to sealingposition; second lock means on said mandrels for locking said seal meansin said sealing position; and means on said mandrels responsive torotary and upward movement of one of said tubing strings for retractingsaid anchoring means and moving said seal means from sealing engagementwith said internal well surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,903,066 Brown Sept. 8, 1959 2,972,379 Brown Feb. 21, 1961 2,991,833Brown et al. July 11, 1961 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION Patent No. 3,167 127 January 26, 1965 Phillip S. Sizer It ishereby certified that error appears in the above numbered pat- 'entrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 16, line 30, for "limting" read limiting"; line 31, for"position" read piston Signed and sealed this 29th day of June 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attosting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A WELL PACKER INCLUDING: A PAIR OF MANDRELS, EACH HAVING A PASSAGEWAYEXTENDING THERETHROUGH; UPPER AND LOWER BODY MEMBERS CONNECTING THEOPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID MANDRELS TO EACH OTHER; ANCHORING MEANS ON SAIDMANDRELS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID MANDRELS BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITIONAND AN EXPANDED OPERATIVE POSITION WHEREIN SAID ANCHORING MEANS ISENGAGEABLE WITH THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF A WELL CASING TO HOLD THEMANDRELS AGAINST MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID CASING; MEANS ON SAIDMANDRELS OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO FLUID PRESSURE IN ONE OF SAIDPASSAGEWAYS FOR MOVING SAID ANCHORING MEANS TO SAID OPERATIVE POSITION;FIRST CONDUIT MEANS ON SAID MANDRELS FOR COMMUNICATING FLUID PRESSUREFROM SAID ONE OF SAID PASSAGEWAYS WITH SAID MEANS FOR MOVING SAIDANCHORING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID ANCHORING MEANS TO OPERATIVE POSITION;FIRST LOCK MEANS ON SAID MANDRELS FOR LOCKING AND ANCHORING MEANS INSAID OPERATIVE POSITION; SEAL MEANS ON SAID MANDRELS; OPERATING MEANS ONSAID MANDRELS OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO FLUID PRESSURE IN ONE OF SAIDPASSAGEWAYS FOR MOVING SAID SEAL MEANS TO A POSITION OF SEALINGENGAGEMENT WITH THE INTERNAL SURFACES OF A WELL; SECOND CONDUIT MEANS ONSAID MANDRELS COMMUNICATING ONE OF SAID MANDREL PASSAGEWAYS WITH SAIDOPERATING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID SEAL MEANS FOR CONDUCTING FLUID PRESSURETO SAID OPERATING MEANS FOR SAID PASSAGEWAY FOR OPERATING SAID OPERATINGMEANS; AND SECOND LOCK MEANS ON SAID MANDRELS FOR LOCKING SAID SEALINGMEANS IN SAID SEALING POSITION.